Love Island's Zara turns her attention to Shaq before…

Love Island's Zara turns her attention to Shaq before villa is rocked by announcement

Things are heating up in the Love Island 2023 villa. Filmed on location in South Africa and presented by new host Maya Jama, the new winter series of the popular ITV2 dating show kicked off on Monday, January 16.

And while we're only just over a week in, there's already been fallouts and feuds, love triangles, dumpings and shock recouplings. In the episode that aired on Monday, January 23, the row between Olivia Hawkins and Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown escalated as the pair clashed over semi-professional footballer Tom Clare. You can read more on this here.

However, in scenes set to air tonight [Tuesday, January 24], Zara turns her attention to Shaq Muhammad, who is coupled up with Tanya Mahenga. In a first look, Zara says: "I'll be real with you, Tom is obviously ticking pretty much every box for me but it's early still, I haven't even spoken to you properly, it would be nice to explore."

The conversation is briefly interrupted as Tanya approaches them to give Shaq a cup of tea but soon continues as Shaq says: "On the outside you would be someone that I would go for so I do want to explore that to see the vibes."

Shaq and Zara talk about both being from London as he says: "You’re from London too, you just get it." Zara adds: "Same with you, we are from the same area, that's the thing, that would just work instantly."

Shaq Muhammad, Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown and Tanya Manhenga chat (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Keen to make his intentions clear, Shaq is honest with Tanya about how he plans to get to know Zara. Elsewhere in the episode, Kai asks Anna-May if they can chat as there is something he wants to get off his chest, Anna-May asks him: "Where's your head at?”

Kai responds: "If I'm going to be completely honest with myself as hard as it is, I think I do get on better with Tanyel a little bit more and there's a bit more of a spark there."

Anna-May responds: "I feel like we don't have much flirt, it's a lot of serious chat. The conversation continues as Kai says: "I think sometimes you’ve just got to go with your gut with these things."

Anna-May adds: "Don't worry I feel the same way and I feel like me and you, we get along more as friends, I do have a laugh with you and we can have fun but it’s more in a friend way."

Later in the show, the contestants receive a text that shocks the villa, and as everyone gathers around the fire pit what's in store next? The announcement comes after Iain Stirling asked viewers to vote for their favourite male and female Islanders to stay in the villa at the end of Monday night's episode.

Iain then told viewers at home that those with the least amount of votes would be left vulnerable and at risk of being dumped from the villa, implying a double elimination could be on the way. Viewers were unable to vote for the two new Aussie arrivals, Jessie, 26, and Aaron, 25, as they've only recently joined.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.

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